WEBVTT REPORTER: GOOD EVENING. TODAY’S EVEN UNPRECEDENTED, COMING IN A STATE THAT HAD ALMOST NO GUN RESTRICTIONS AT ALL UNTIL TODAY. GUN RIGHTS GROUPS TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO CONVEY TO THE GOVERNOR THEY SAW N REASON TO MAKE CHANGE. THEY LET THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR HAVE IT. TRAITOR, TRAITOR. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THREE BILLS INTO LAW AFTER TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE CROWD WHY HE CHANGED HIS VIEW AND FELT THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT VERMONTERS FROM SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND MASS SHOOTINGS. THE THREE BILLS TODAY RAISED THE AGE TO BUY A GUN TO 21, IT ENDS THE SALE OF HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES IN OCTOBER, AND EXPANDS BACKGROUND CHECKS. PEOPLE WEARING ORANGE HE TODAY , SPORTSMEN’S GROUPS, SECOND AMENDMEN FOLKS, WANTED NO PART OF IT AND SHOUTED SCOTT DOWN FROM START TO FINISH. >> THI LEGISLATION -- >>SHOUTING] TRAITOR. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> THI LEGISLATION EXTEN -- THIS LEGISLATION EXTENDS OUR EXISTING BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS TO PRIVATE SALES WITH AN EXCEPTION FOR SALES BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS A REASONABLE EXTENSION OF EXISTING LAW TO CLOSE THE SO-CALLED PARKING LOT LOOPHOLE. ONE -- WHAT IT DOES NOT DO IS TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS, PERIOD. [APPLAUSE] REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR THINKS THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT ONE OF THESE BIL, S 55, WHICH HE SAYS WILL NOT TAKE AWAY ANYONE’S MAGAZINE, EITHER, NOR INFRINGE ON AFFECT GUN PURCHASES BUTIMPORTANT TO KNOW. PARENTS CAN STILL TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT HUNTING, IS TRADITION HERE. DEAR HUNTING SHOULD NOT CHANGE AT ALL. GOVERNOR SCOTT ALSO RAILED AS WHAT HE SEES AS A RELATED ISSUE, THE VENOM SPREADING ACROSS SOCI MEDIA, INCIVILITY AMONG PEOPLE WHO MAY DISAGREE WITH YOU. THERE WAS PLENTY OF THAT ON DISPLAY HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE TODAY. SCOTT CHOSE TO DO THIS PUBLICLY. HE COULD HAVE HELD THIS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS OR IN ONE OF THE RESTRICTED ACCESS ROADS. HE CHOSE TO FACE CRITICS FACE-TO-FACE, AND IN THE PROCESS, LOOKED RATHER COURAGEOUS. BRIAN: WE HEARD THE CHANCE THIS AFTERNOON OF "NOT MY GOVERNOR. " WHAT KIND OF FALLOUT MIGHT THIS GENERATE IN NOVEMBER? REPORTER: IT IS LIKELY TO CUT BOTH WAYS. THE FOLKS WEARING ORANGE WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM, BUT ISIS BACKED, AFTER YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING THAT SHOWS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, I SUSPECT HE PICKED UP PLENTY OF SUPPORT ACROSS THE STATE, PARTICULA

The bill has provoked intense opposition from gun rights supporters who oppose any change in firearms regulation and believe none is needed.

Scott, a Republican, reminded them that he felt the same way for all of his adult life, but his view changed on Feb. 16, when he learned of an alleged plot by Vermont teenager Jack Sawyer to open fire at Fair Haven Union High School.

The mass shootings America has witnessed with alarming regularity in other states, Scott decided, were now a tangible danger in Vermont.

He has urged every Vermonter who doubts the need for action to read the state police affidavit that accompanied Sawyer's arrest.

Two other gun reform measures Scott signed Wednesday are far less controversial:

-H.422 will allow police to temporarily confiscate firearms visible to an officer at the home of a person suspected of domestic violence or abuse.

-S.221 allows police to confiscate firearms from a person who a judge decides poses an "extreme risk" to do harm to themselves or to others. The bill, supporters hope, will help to reduce Vermont's higher-than-average rate of suicide.

The Statehouse crowd was largely segregated into two groups.

Those wearing orange -- jeered Scott for his change of heart on S.55, -- and those wearing green carried signs that read "Thank You!" and applauded his remarks.

"I know these discussions have been difficult and emotional, barriers that frequently lead to inaction," Scott told the crowd. "This is not time to do what's easy. It's time to do what's right."

Scott believes much of the opposition stems from misinformation about what the bills actually do.

No Vermonter will have any gun or any magazine taken away because of S.55, he said.

"I want to be absolutely clear," Scott said. "I believe these measures will make a difference and I firmly believe each and every one of them is consistent with both the United States and Vermont constitutions."

But the crowd wearing orange appeared unpersuaded, yelling and shouting at Scott throughout his 25-minute address on the Statehouse steps.

They called him a traitor and a liar for changing his view on the gun issue, and held signs promising to "Remember in November" and work for his defeat.

Scott addressed that, too.

"I recognize how hard it is for some to understand my change of heart on our gun laws, let alone to come to the same conclusions I've reached, and many who voted for me are disappointed and angry," Scott told the crowd. "I understand. I understand I may lose support for deciding to sign these bills today but those are consequences I'm prepared to live with."

Scott, a first-term governor, is facing Keith Stern, of North Springfield, in the GOP primary in August.

Stern is not widely known but is an ardent Second Amendment supporter, and petitions are posted in many Vermont gun shops to get his name on the ballot.

At least three Democrats are also vying for the chance to challenge Scott.

A fourth, state Sen. John Rodgers, of Essex-Orleans, said Tuesday that he is now considering an independent challenge, primarily because of Scott's "broken promise" on gun rights.